Russia’s Ukrainian quagmire providing tough lessons for China
HONG KONG/BEIJING — From countering a Western “information war” during a Taiwan conflict to using “shock and awe” to swiftly subdue the island’s forces,...
Moscow steps up assault in Ukraine’s south, eastern Donbas
DOBROPILLIA/KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine’s shelling killed and injured its own civilians in the southern region of Kherson, Russia said on Sunday, after pounding southern and eastern areas with missile strikes, while some civilians got away from a steel plant in besieged Mariupol.
Angelina Jolie visits Lviv, trip interrupted by sirens
LVIV, Ukraine — Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie visited the Ukrainian city of Lviv on Saturday, going to the station to meet people displaced by the war with Russia before later leaving after air-raid sirens sounded.
Taiwan calls China’s COVID lockdowns ‘cruel,’ says won’t follow its steps
TAIPEI — China’s lockdowns to control the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are “cruel” and Taiwan will not follow suit, Premier Su Tseng-chang said on Sunday.
New Mexico ‘megafire’ could more than double in size
TAOS, N.M. — A drought-driven wildfire in northern New Mexico exploded into a “megafire” of 100,000 acres, or 157 square miles, on Saturday and could still more than double in size, a fire official said.
‘Battle for Donbas’ critical for Russia, says British defense ministry
KYIV — The “Battle of Donbas” remains Russia’s main strategic focus in Ukraine, Britain’s defense ministry said on Friday, but it has suffered significant...
As living costs surge, climate change takes a backseat in elections
KUALA LUMPUR/MANILA/RIO DE JANEIRO — In the seaside town of Palo in the central Philippines, George Christopher Daga has watched torrential rain pour for...
Tourist favorite Thailand’s recovery lags on COVID rule changes
BANGKOK — When 23-year-old Norwegian Anastasia Johansen and her boyfriend were planning their first vacation in two years, they considered going to Thailand but...
US economy shrinks in first quarter; trade, inventories mask underlying strength
WASHINGTON — The US economy unexpectedly contracted in the first quarter amid a resurgence in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases and a drop in...
Food protectionism in play as Indonesia palm export ban starts
INDONESIA’s palm oil export ban kicked off Thursday in one of the most drastic cases of food protectionism since the war erupted in Ukraine.
Putin warns of retaliation if West interferes in Ukraine
WARSAW/SOFIA/KYIV — Russian President Vladimir Putin warned of lightning-fast retaliation if countries interfere in Ukraine as European leaders accused Russia of “blackmail” over its cuts to gas supplies.
Biden to visit Asia next month to build united front on North Korea, Russia
SEOUL — Visiting Asia next month for the first time since becoming US president in 2021, Joseph R. Biden will hold talks with allies in Japan and South Korea over China’s growing influence in the region and the latest threats from nuclear-armed North Korea.